Max's Restaurant Bakersfield, Cuisine of the Philippines

Crispy chicken. Kare-kare favorite. Friendly staff, variable waits.

Restaurant Category: Casual sit-down Filipino dining; mid-range pricing (some find it pricey; $5 fountain drinks mentioned)

Menu Highlights:
– Kare-kare (peanut stew) – repeatedly praised; some call it the best they’ve had
– Max’s fried chicken – ultra-crispy, “chicharrón”-level crunch
– Crispy pata – popular pick, though one diner found it bland without the sauce
– Pancit (bihon) – flavorful without being too salty
– Lumpia – consistent crowd-pleaser
– Sinigang na bangus – comforting, balanced sour broth
– Pinakbet – noted by fans of veggies
– Leche flan – standout dessert
– Bilao platters – generous variety for groups, good value for sharing

Service Highlights:
– Friendly, accommodating servers with helpful recommendations for first-timers
– Clean dining room and bathrooms; comfortable, family-friendly vibe
– Manager check-ins and attentive hosting mentioned; quick seating reported on some visits
– Large “family-size” portions for large orders; leftovers common
– Made-to-order kitchen; wait times can stretch (a few reported very long waits)
– Mixed experiences: some visits prompt and warm, others noted slow refills and cooler hospitality

Notes:
– Waits can be long; one diner reported about 2 hours for food
– Perceived inconsistency over time; a few felt quality declined
– A couple of dishes criticized (e.g., adobo a bit oily; nilaga tough; one crispy pata bland without sauce)
– Some diners find prices high and portions shrinking
– Service warmth felt uneven; a few mentioned slow drink refills and less-than-welcoming management interactions
– Lunch specials are weekday-only; an exception was made for a first-time Saturday visit

Customers come for the crispy classics and hearty stews—kare-kare gets tons of love, and the signature fried chicken is super crunchy, with some folks comparing it to chicharrón. Diners enjoy the pancit for being well-seasoned without the salt overload, and lumpia and sinigang na bangus hit the comfort-food spot. The bilao platters are a go-to for groups who want a bit of everything, and several people say not to skip the leche flan. Although many dishes earn praise, some diners mention misses like an oily adobo, a crispy pata that needed the sauce to shine, or a tough nilaga on one visit.

Service gets lots of compliments for friendliness and guidance, especially for first-timers, and the place stands out for being very clean and family-friendly. Some customers mention attentive hosting and manager check-ins, quick seating, and large portions that feed a crowd. Although food is made to order, which many appreciate, wait times vary—most are fine, but a few reported very long waits, even up to two hours, and slow refills for a $5 fountain drink.

Some people love that this spot tastes like home, even saying it matches or beats what they’ve had elsewhere, while others feel the prices are high and the hospitality can feel uneven. Shout-outs pop up for team members like Jhunelle, Ana, Lily, Iris, and Destiny, who left warm impressions; on the flip side, a few diners felt the welcome wasn’t as warm as they expect from Filipino hospitality. Overall, folks come for the kare-kare, fried chicken, pancit, and family-style spreads—although patience and consistency can be hit or miss depending on the day.